Nash believes Shaq will fit in well with the Cavs

NashtyNas · Post #1 » by **NashtyNas** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:13 pm

Steve Nash believes that Shaquille O'Neal will fit in great with LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

"I think he realizes that he's not in the prime of his career, so to speak," Nash told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Nash played with O'Neal for a little more than a season in Phoenix.

O'Neal is "still a great player, but LeBron is going to be the focal point," the point guard said. "I think he's happy with that. At the same time, he'll get a lot of opportunities to be in the spotlight, and he's great at it."

Nash added that he doesn't think the Suns will trade Amare Stoudemire.

"I don't see him leaving," he added. "I just see him having a phenomenal career and being in Phoenix a long time."

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archi ... with_cavs/

In Phoenix, he claimed he knew his role, but later started taking over as the main option, mainly not because of his fault as much as Terry Porter's. Will his shenanigans cause problems in CLE? What's your opinion?

jaypo · Post #2 » by **jaypo** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:30 pm

Actually, he did what he did out of necessity. NOBODY stepped up on that team. Shaq had to. Hell, he was the only consistent one on the team. After Amare went down, who SHOULD have been the 1st option? Nash? Put the whole scoring load on his old, aching back? Hell, he already couldn't guard a rock. Put the whole offensive load on his back AND ask him to defend, and see how that ends up.

I did see Steve threw some backhanded statements about "being in the spotlight", and not being in his prime. There were rumors that Shaq's personality was getting old in the Suns' locker room. If his personality ruined chemistry, I'd hate to see what went on in there. Must have sucked!

Post #3 » by **TheOUTLAW** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 3:06 pm

I don't see a problem with Shaq at all. he really will be the Cavs first option.

DirtyDez · Post #4 » by **DirtyDez** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:50 am

Shaq is a very smart player, he played well w/ us last year because of his experience even though most said he couldn't run in that system and wouldn't fit. He then had his best year since 04'... Plus he's $ in the playoffs

Post #5 » by **Icness** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:25 am

I think a motivated, hungry Shaq is a serious problem for the rest of the East.

Benedict_Boozer · Post #6 » by **Benedict_Boozer** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:00 am

I'm not worried about Shaq other than his health. If he can stay healthy, he will do well with Lebron. He has always meshed well with good bigs.

Post #7 » by **Rise Against** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:08 am

Having Shaq put up at least 14/9 would be a huge bonus for us... Compared to what Wallace and Pavs averaged. I'm sure Shaq will be willing to accept his role and make a huge impact for the Cavs.

tidho · Post #8 » by **tidho** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:49 pm

I can't see him touching 14/9.
I just don't think they'll play him the minutes to allow that. I don't see any reason for him to ever play more than 30 minutes a game.

Benedict_Boozer · Post #9 » by **Benedict_Boozer** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:07 pm

tidho wrote:I can't see him touching 14/9.
I just don't think they'll play him the minutes to allow that. I don't see any reason for him to ever play more than 30 minutes a game.

He'll get 12-14 a night easy IMO. Think about all the spoon fed layups/dunk opportunities Lebron got Z and Ben last year (that they routinely blew)

Shaq is not going to miss many dunks or layups, his FG% is like 60+%. Add a couple FT's to that, there's your 12-14 pts.

The 9 rebs - I doubt he gets that. I'm predicting about 15/7 type numbers.

twinthunder3 · Post #10 » by **twinthunder3** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:57 pm

of course shaq will fit right in. LeBron will do all the other stuff while Shaq just waits for his turn in the post and dunks it in whenever the opportunity arrives.

CodyB · Post #11 » by **CodyB** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 1:02 am

tidho wrote:I can't see him touching 14/9.
I just don't think they'll play him the minutes to allow that. I don't see any reason for him to ever play more than 30 minutes a game.

You want to be the best team in the league, right? You might want to play your 7'1 350ib center a little more than 25mpg. Shaq can, and if given the oppurtunity, will dominate.

Sofa King · Post #12 » by **Sofa King** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 10:05 am

jaypo wrote:Actually, he did what he did out of necessity. NOBODY stepped up on that team. Shaq had to. Hell, he was the only consistent one on the team. After Amare went down, who SHOULD have been the 1st option? Nash? Put the whole scoring load on his old, aching back? Hell, he already couldn't guard a rock. Put the whole offensive load on his back AND ask him to defend, and see how that ends up.

I did see Steve threw some backhanded statements about "being in the spotlight", and not being in his prime. There were rumors that Shaq's personality was getting old in the Suns' locker room. If his personality ruined chemistry, I'd hate to see what went on in there. Must have sucked!

+1